** UPDATE II** My New Project: 7mm-08 Ackley for F-Open

I found with my 7mm08AIs, been running them since late 2014, anything slower then H4350 is too slow. and for 162gr amax, I've gone to running Varget which gives me an easy 2840fps and could go higher if needed. My 180gr VLD load was 47.3gr H4350 for a MV of 2770fps. My first barrel shot amazingly and won me my first Queens prize.

I'm still running the same palma brass I started with a few years ago. The inital batch of cases has gone over 16 firings now. Ive lost count really. I am running a trued R700 action so guys running custom actions and alike could probably run hotter.

My reamer is set up for 180gr VLD so the fb is a tad long for light bullets which is where the cal would really be awesome I think.

I found with my 7mm08AIs, been running them since late 2014, anything slower then H4350 is too slow. and for 162gr amax, I've gone to running Varget which gives me an easy 2840fps and could go higher if needed. My 180gr VLD load was 47.3gr H4350 for a MV of 2770fps. My first barrel shot amazingly and won me my first Queens prize.

I'm still running the same palma brass I started with a few years ago. The inital batch of cases has gone over 16 firings now. Ive lost count really. I am running a trued R700 action so guys running custom actions and alike could probably run hotter.

My reamer is set up for 180gr VLD so the fb is a tad long for light bullets which is where the cal would really be awesome I think.

Good luck with your builds gents!!!!

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I went up to 47.3 with RL-16 (nearly identical burn rate to H4350) and got excellent velocity, however, my accuracy was terrible. Down in the upper 2600 range it shot very well. I have a .270 freebore which puts the Hybrids W-A-Y out there. I just started on this "learning curve" and I will figure it out T-Rust me. That 2770 you're talking about is right where I want to be. Maybe H4350 would be a better powder for accuracy, only time will tell. If there are any "tips" you think I should know, please offer them. Thanks..

I would certainly try H4350. My first barrel really came alive when I hit that 2770fps node. Its got 1800rds on it and last time I shot it at 700m, i shot 10 shots into say a 4-5In group. Just cant miss with it. im tuning my 2nd barrel on 162gr Amax as I have about 600 - 700 of them and want to see how they go in this cartridge.

**UPDATE II** I took the Ackley out again this morning and ran 44.4 to 45.2. All of them shot "decent".. However, 44.4 shot a VERY flat horizontal groups and it was just at 1". However, the e.s.'s were 16f.p.s. The next best or maybe the best group was at 45.0grs. It shot 3 shots in a tiny hole with 2 shots directly underneath, with a group size of 1". I believe that the reason 2 shots were "low" was because as the sun becomes more intense, the target image moves slightly up. However, I am only hazarding a guess at that. BUT the e.s.'s were only 7 f.p.s. and the speed was right at 2700.. The next time out will be with the 45.0gr load and various primers. If it pans out the way I believe, then I will shoot that load at a match to see just how well it does over the long haul. From that point, I will begin work with H4350 as QuickOz suggested. You know, it does not matter how much you investigate a cartridge, "learning" it is always a trial and error / time consuming venture! That is why I love trying new things, especially things that do not fall into the bucket of "conventional wisdom"! LOL!!!

***UPDATE III***
Well I took the 7mm-08 Ackley out this morning (9/18/17) to try some RL-26. Now RL-26 is pretty slow and I wondered how the powder would burn. If it reached high enough pressures, obviously it would burn clean>>>that was my "worry". I went from 51.4grs to 52.2grs. I thought it might make "mid-2700's" MAYBE! WHOA!!! I was in for a HUGE surprise!!! At 51.4 I was running already in the low 2820's! By the time I hit 52.2, I was running right at 2860! Can you imagine 2860 out of this little case??!! However, "up there" neither the groups nor the e.s.'s were good BUT at 51.4 and 51.6 it shot down at 1" in 5-7 m.p.h. full cross winds. The e.s.'s were in the single digits! So tomorrow I am going to load up 51.5, which will net me right at 2830-2835f.p.s... If this pans out like it appears it will, this could be a game changer! Can you imagine "nearly indestructible" brass, low pressures in the 56,000p.s.i. range, with very good accuracy and single digit e.s.'s!

Ben - if you're using QL to predict "accuracy nodes" using barrel times (OBT) as the output, just be aware that there are more nodes than can be accounted for solely by OBT. If you cannot realistically hit a given OBT node due to pressure limitations, try a ladder in the region below that node, going as high up in charge weight as you can safely go. Chances are very good you'll find another node that you can safely hit that will be much closer (faster) than the next slower OBT node from the table, which is likely WAY slower. Because you're only looking at vertical in the ladder, having the exact seating depth/grouping isn't critical. You can tune the group in afterwards using seating depth. As an example, it is almost impossible to hit Node 4 in an F-TR .308 load with 200+ gr bullets, regardless of barrel length. Most are running an in-between node that shows up in the 2650-2700 fps range. That node shoots very well but you probably wouldn't find it using barrel time and QL.

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The above UPDATE III, according to QL would be in one of those "in between nodes".. Let's hope this turns out good!!

***UPDATE IV FINAL UPDATE***
I went out this morning to "verify" the RL-26 load. I shot 5 groups of 5 shots each at the normal 300 yards. Instead of close to or at 1" they blew up to 2-3"! Horrible!! It appears I have failed so far in reaching my goal of 2750-2800 with accurate loads. Getting there is NO problem, however, getting there accurately is! So I will settle for 45.0grs. of RL-16 running the 180 Hybrids at 2700f.p.s. Now here is an interesting finding. My .260 Ackley shooting the 140 Hybrid at 2975f.p.s. is using 45.2grs of RL-16! Same case, 1/2mm smaller in diameter, using the heaviest bullets for the twist rates, and nearly identical charge weights with the same powder! Interesting!!

***UPDATE IV FINAL UPDATE***
I went out this morning to "verify" the RL-26 load. I shot 5 groups of 5 shots each at the normal 300 yards. Instead of close to or at 1" they blew up to 2-3"! Horrible!! It appears I have failed so far in reaching my goal of 2750-2800 with accurate loads. Getting there is NO problem, however, getting there accurately is! So I will settle for 45.0grs. of RL-16 running the 180 Hybrids at 2700f.p.s. Now here is an interesting finding. My .260 Ackley shooting the 140 Hybrid at 2975f.p.s. is using 45.2grs of RL-16! Same case, 1/2mm smaller in diameter, using the heaviest bullets for the twist rates, and nearly identical charge weights with the same powder! Interesting!!

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Now you should try and build a 243 AI with same powder and see what happens..?! Maybe 115 or 110's? Or perhaps just old reliable 108 LRBT..?

Now you should try and build a 243 AI with same powder and see what happens..?! Maybe 115 or 110's? Or perhaps just old reliable 108 LRBT..?

Perhaps all the cases accuracy node is the same from 6, 6.5 and 7mm .

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The .243 AI turns into something altogether different with RL-26. IF it will deliver accuracy with that powder. Mine will stack 105 Hybrids one on top of another at 3,300 + fps. That's out of a 26" barrel with no pressure signs at all.

The .243 AI turns into something altogether different with RL-26. IF it will deliver accuracy with that powder. Mine will stack 105 Hybrids one on top of another at 3,300 + fps. That's out of a 26" barrel with no pressure signs at all.

RL17 is what you need..CCI 450 and pay a visit back to the 17 I think you will find what you are looking for.
Now RL17 does seem to like heaver neck tension...003-.004 I think .003 seems to shoot better,,It needs consistent neck tension... Just a thought..

It really has shot well in everything I have shot it in..
I too have experienced Good Velocity with the RL26 and it did not shoot too well but in my 6XC with a 115 it shot incredible .300's at 200 yards but it was so temp sensitive in that loading..But a 115 at 3,150 FPS in a hole at 200 yards was hard to let go of..

***UPDATE IV FINAL UPDATE***
I went out this morning to "verify" the RL-26 load. I shot 5 groups of 5 shots each at the normal 300 yards. Instead of close to or at 1" they blew up to 2-3"! Horrible!! It appears I have failed so far in reaching my goal of 2750-2800 with accurate loads. Getting there is NO problem, however, getting there accurately is! So I will settle for 45.0grs. of RL-16 running the 180 Hybrids at 2700f.p.s. Now here is an interesting finding. My .260 Ackley shooting the 140 Hybrid at 2975f.p.s. is using 45.2grs of RL-16! Same case, 1/2mm smaller in diameter, using the heaviest bullets for the twist rates, and nearly identical charge weights with the same powder! Interesting!!

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Ben,
Have you tried RL-23?

I also was impressed with the speed and initial accuracy of RL-26 in my.284. I just could not get consistentcy over long strings of fire. Maybe cleaning every leg in f-class would help?
CW

I also was impressed with the speed and initial accuracy of RL-26 in my.284. I just could not get consistentcy over long strings of fire. Maybe cleaning every leg in f-class would help?
CW

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The "problem" with RL-23 is that it is at least as "bulky" as RL-16.. With 45.0grs of RL-16 in the case using a 6" drop tube, it fills the case over 1/2 the way up the shoulder. In order to get up far enough past 2700f.p.s. to make it worthwhile, the powder would be flowing over the top of the neck.. At 47.3grs with RL-16 I was getting 2800+, and that was with a good "crunch".. I doubt very seriously I could get past 2700 with RL-23.. I am using RL-23 in my "straight" .284 with excellent results and I am right at 2910 with 54.0grs. But that case is large enough to handle it..

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